David Healy praises Kirk Millar as Linfield regain four point lead with Loughgall victory

Loughgall 1 Linfield 2

Linfield's Kirk Millar celebrates his goal during the game at Lakeview Park

Over the years, David Healy has lavished praise on Kirk Millar countless times.

Rarely will the talented winger have deserved the compliments more than on the back of his stunning strike that secured Linfield a highly valuable 2-1 win at Loughgall — a win that saw the Blues restore their four-point lead over Larne at the top of the Sports Direct Premiership table.

Millar connected with the sweetest of volleys 10 minutes after half-time to clinch the victory in an enthralling encounter that had produced a high level of entertainment even in a goalless first-half.

Loughgall's Oran Brogan and Linfield's Jamie Mulgrew

That moved onto a new level at the start of the second-half. The shot of confidence that flowed through the Linfield team after Tiernan Kelly’s unfortunate own goal that put them in front two minutes after the break — from a dangerous delivery by Millar — was still rising when Millar pounced to double the lead on 55 minutes after Oran Brogan’s headed clearance following Euan East’s deep free-kick only reached the edge of the box.

It was game on again two minutes later when Benji Magee pulled one back for Loughgall, something that prompted Healy to change his tone from throwing flowers at Millar to pointing out the flaws in his team’s overall display and making the final half-hour more nervy than it needed to be.

“Kirk has that ability to put the ball into the area in between goalkeeper and defender. We probably got a bit fortunate with the finish, but when you put balls into that area, it creates confusion,” said Healy (right).

“Then he ended up capping off a good day individually for himself and a big day for